Who deserves an All-Star Game spot from the Central and Pacific Divisions

This year’s NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 31 has already met its quota for controversy.

There was the switch in format to one that will see the league’s four divisions facing off against each other in a 3-on-3 mini-tournament. There was the decision to do away with the popular Fantasy Draft. And then there was that fan voting debacle.

And we haven’t even gotten to the usual rending of garments and gnashing of teeth that follows the announcement of the roster fill-out.

That will come on Wednesday when the league reveals the players who who will join team captains Alex Ovechkin, Patrick Kane, Jaromir Jagr and John Scott at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for All-Star Weekend.

Narrowing down the list is no easy task. The new format, which will see four divisional teams comprised of six forwards, three defensemen and two goalies (with each team getting at least one representative) is bound to leave a few deserving players at home, as happens every year.

But I’m here to help with the process. Here’s who should get the call for the Central and Pacific Divisions:

Tyler Seguin (Stars): Third in league scoring (50 points): first in even-strength goals with 15.

Vladimir Tarasenko (Blues): Tied for second in NHL with 23 goals; second in even-strength goals with 13.

Blake Wheeler (Jets): Breakthrough season has winger in seventh in NHL with 40 points; fourth with 30 assists.

DEFENSEMEN

Ryan Suter (Wild): Averaging 28:17 on ice per game, second-most in the league; second on Wild with 20 assists.

Roman Josi (Predators): Third among Western Conference blueliners with 29 points; top scorer for hometown Predators.

Shea Weber (Predators):John Klingberg of the Stars deserves this spot, but look for the home team to get a second representative; Weber is a fan favorite and is odds-on to win his second Hardest Shot competition.

GOALTENDERS

Corey Crawford (Blackhawks): Leads the league with six shutouts; top three in wins (20), GAA (2.24) and save percentage (.925) in Western Conference.

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